Willamette Bridge Railway Co., Portland Oregon

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Willamette Bridge Railway, incorporated in 1887, was a narrow gauge rail system that connected east and west sides of Portland across the Steele Bridge built in 1888 ^[Wikipedia] over the Willamette River. It was the first electric line in Portland, initially operating horse-drawn streetcars ^[Wikipedia]. The W.B. Ry. Co. system was merged with the Transcontinental system to form the City & Suburban Railway Company in 1891 ^{[RailsWest.com]}.

W.B.Ry.Co. horse-drawn railcars c. 1888. Photo: The Oregon History Project

The horse-drawn streetcars in this photo belong to the Willamette Bridge Railway Company and are shown lined up in front of company barns in East Portland.  The company established its transportation service in March 1888, and in the following year, reached an exclusive agreement with the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company to run cars across the new Steele Bridge. The following year, the Willamette Bridge Railway Company decided to switch to electric cars on the new bridge.  They accelerated the planned changeover when all of the cars were destroyed and eighteen horses died in a barn fire in June 1890.^{[ The Oregon History Project]}

Bridges in Portland connect the east and west sides of the city. Map: Wikimedia

W.B. Ry. Co. also used steam power ^{[The Oregon Historical Society]} before its electric rail network was completed. See operators of the electric trolley car No. 20 in Nov. 1889 below, wearing the uniform featuring buttons.

Willamette Bridge Ry. Co. Electric trolley. Photo credit: Richard Thompson, Oregon Encyclopedia

Steele Bridge, Portland Oregon (photo credit: Cacophony on Wikipedia)

Willamette Bridge Railway Co. back view

Willamette Bridge Railway Co. angled back view

More information on this railway is found at: “Willamette Bridge Railway” on the Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge site, “Oregon Electric Railway” on the Oregon Encyclopedia site, among others.

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